NZ Long Jumper’s Career On Hold

Sam Colyer may never compete in long jump or triple jump again after a severe foot dislocation from rugby in July.

The former New Zealand under-18 and under-20 champion jumper is currently in plaster after recovering from two surgeries, and still faces weeks of rehabilitation.

“I will never have the same movement and feeling in it again – it’s a bit more serious than they thought it would be – It’s my jumping foot too, so it all depends….whether I can go back to it,” he said.

Playing the game he loved all of his life, the front of Sam’s foot was dislocated after being crushed by a prop in a rugby match on July 11.

“It was the most horrible pain I have felt in all my life,” he said.

The lisfranc dislocation meant three of his foot bones had to be fused together.

A Bachelor of Sport & Exercise student at SIT, he last competed at the New Zealand Track and Field Championships in March, but planned to have a break this season while he re-assessed his coaching options.

That was now all on hold because of his injury, and also because of Covid-19.

Describing rugby and long jump as his two loves, Sam has a personal best of 6.98m and first started making impressions on the track and field in Year 6 (10).

His mother was a sprinter and his nana and uncle both excelled at long jump, but when it came to choosing between jumping and rugby – it was a tough decision.

“Mum’s not happy that I want to play next season…. but I just have a great love and passion for it.   It took 18 years to do my first injury, and it won’t take another 18, so I plan on playing again,” he said.

Sam’s jumping has taken him to most cities in New Zealand, Vanuatu, Sydney, Townsville and California, and the former Academy Southland student also holds national triple jump titles as well.

Academy Southland manager Jason McKenzie said he was disappointed to hear about Sam’s injury, but was proud of the fact he had built up some transferable skills into rugby.

“I have always said to my students, follow your passion and take your time, then see what opportunities there are.”